Sheet sorting device



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SHEET SORTING DEVICE Filed May 4, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet l0 Dec. 27, 1949A, E, |TT| E 2,492,3@6

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SHEET SORTING DEVICE Filed may 4, 1945 15 sheets-sheet 12 Dec' 27 1949A. E. LITTLE 2,492,38@

SHEET SORTING DEVICE Filed May 4, 1945 13 She'etS-Sheet 13 Patented Dec.27, 1949 snaar son'rme navlcl:

Alfred E. Little, Chicago, IIL, assigner to Ditto, Incorporated,Chicago, Iii., a corporation of West Virginia Application May 4, 1945,Serial No. 591,976

iCl. 271-64) 4 Claims. l

-The present invention relates to sheet sorting devices which areadapted selectively to place a desired number of sheets received from aduplicating machine or like apparatus in separate contalners orsupports. The -device is of the type wherein any desired number ofsheets may be placed in any desired compartment by a. device which maybe set in advance by the operator. It is the purpose of this inventionto provide a novelconveying and receiving unit for the sheets to besegregated whereby the sheets are easily andaccurately directed to theproper container without danger of injury to the sheets.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a novel selectingarrangement whereby sheets are directed into the compartments with theminimum amount of bending of the sheets. This device is intendedparticularly to be used with duplicating machines of the hectograph andthe so called wet process type wherein the sheets as received from theduplicating machines are Amoist on one side so that there is a tendencyfor them to curl. The present apparatus is so equipped as to minimizethe curling of the sheets as they are received inthe storagecompartments. It is a further purpose of my invention to provide amachine of this character with novel means whereby a sheet may bedeflected from the sorting device in the position to be extracted by theoperator at any time. It is a further purpose of my invention to providea novel selector circuit for a sorter of this type whereby the operatormay pre-select the number of copies to be placed in a particularcompartment and may thereafter change the selection, at will, to varythe number of copies to be delivered to a particular compartment anytimebefore the actual completion of the delivery.

It is a further purpose of the invention to provide a selecting deviceand circuit wherein the parts are relatively simple and few in number.

The nature and advantages of the invention will'appear more fully fromthe following description and the accompanying drawings wherein apreferred form of the invention is. shown. It is to be understoodhowever that the drawings and description are illustrative only and arenot to be taken as limiting the invention except insofar as itis limitedby the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a sorting device embodying myinvention showing the device attached to a duplicating machine of thehectograph type with a separate unit embodying the selecting mechanism;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view looking down on the duplicatingmachine and showing the connection of the sorter to the duplicatingmachine;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in sectionaccording to the line 5--5 of Figure 2; l

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l-l of Figure2;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the sorter; l

Figure 8 is a view in side elevation of the sorter;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on theline iii-I0 of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view -through a portion of thesorter to illustrate the interior construction;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line i2-I2 oi'Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional view through the pre-selectormechanism;

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on the line Il-it oi' Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line iS-i oiFigure 14;

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken on the line |6--I6 of Figure i4;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the pre-selectinghectograph mechanism;

Figures 18 and 19 are fragmentary detail views illustrating theoperation of a manual selector lever associatedwith the selector units;

Figure 2Q is a fragmentary sectional View taken longitudinally throughone of the selector units;

Figure 21 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical connections ofthe selector device for the control of the various compartments in thesorter;

Figure 22 is a view in side elevation of a modined form of selectordevice; y

Figure 23 is a sectional view taken on the line 23-23 of Figure 22;

Figure 24 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 23 b ut looking in theopposite direction;

Figure 25 is a plan view partly in section of the device shown in Figure22;

Figure 26 is a sectional view taken on the line 26-26 oi Figure 23;

Figure 27 is a sectional view taken on the line 21-21 of Figure 22; and

Figure 28 is a wiring diagram of the mechanism shown in Figures 22 to 27inclusive.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly to Figures 1 6, myinvention is shown as applied to a duplicating machine I of thehectograph type wherein a gelatin band 2 is positioned on a drum 3 andcopy sheets are fed from a feed tray 4 to the drum where they receive animprint from a. master impression in reverse on the gelatin band. Thecopy sheets are stripped from the drum by means of stripping rollers 5and 6, the leading edges of the sheets being fed to the strippingrollers by a roller 1 that moves into and out of the peripheral outlineof the drum in timed relation to the movement of the drum. The drum isof the general type shown in the Marchev Patent 2,033,383. Theduplicator as shown is mounted upon a stand 9 which may have storagespace therein for hectograph rolls and for paper. The duplicatingmachine is power operated and it has a shaft 9 for the drum upon which ahandwheel I is secured. The handwheel I0 can be utilized to turn thedrum by hand as desired for adjusting purposes. The shaft 9 also carriesa cam II which is located inside a housing I2 on the side frame of theduplicating machine. The cam II is a switch operating cam. It is adaptedto periodically depress a contact closing lever I3 that is pivoted at I4on the exterior of a switch casing I5. A roller I6 is provided on thelever I3 and the cam II has a trip projection I1 thereon adapted toengage the roller I6 one time for each revolution of the shaft 9.

My improved sorter comprises a frame I8 which is mounted on a suitablesupport I9 adjacent the support 8. The frame I9 has a conveyer frame 20projecting from one end thereof toward the drum and into closejuxtaposition to the stripping rollers and 6. The conveyer frame 2Dcarries upper and lower Ibelt conveyers 2I and 22. The upper conveyer isterminated short of the lower conveyer adjacent to the stripping rollersso that sheets carried from vthe stripping rollers by the lower conveyermay be removed before they are fed to engagement with the upperconveyer.

At the front end of the lower conveyer there is a roller shaft 23, theopposite ends of which are mounted in two bearing blocks 24 and 25 insuch fashion that the shaft may be adjusted length- Wise of the frame bymeans of adjusting screws 26 (see Figure 5) for keeping the conveyerbelts 22 properly tight. The stripping rollers 5, 5 and 1 deliver sheetsfrom the drum 3 over a guide plate 21 and beneath a second removablymounted guide plate 28. These guide plates are mounted on the bearingblocks 24 and 25 and extend between the bearing blocks to provide anarrow throat at 29 through which the sheets pass into position to beengaged by the conveyer 22. Wrinkled or torn sheets are caught in thethroat 29 and can be removed by the operator. The sheets are directedonto the conveyer 22 or away from it by a movable separator plate 30which is xed to a cross bar 3|. The cross bar 3| is mounted at itsopposite ends on two brackets 32 and 33 which form parts of two bearingblocks 34 and 35 for a shaft 36 that carries rollers 31 for the conveyerbelts 2 I. The bar 3l is journalled in the brackets 32 and 33 andextends through the bracket 33 where it is provided with a hand lever 38(see Figures 2, 3 and 4). The hand lever 38 is provided with anextension 39 which carries a spring pressed detent 40 adapted to engagein depressions 4I that are provided in the side face of the bearingblock 35. The hand lever 38 can thus lbe used to raise or lower theplate 30 and effectively direct sheets to or away from the conveyer 22.

Referring now to Figures 'I to 11 inclusive and particularly to Figures8,; 9 and 1l, the detailed construction of the driving means for thecon-v veyers 2I and 22 will be described. The conveyer 2| is in twosections; a front 'section 2l and a rear section 2 Ia, both sections ofwhich are driven by a shaft 42, which has pulley sections 43 and 44thereon. The shaft 42 has a drive pulley 45 thereon. This pulley isconnected by a belt 46 to a pulley 41 that is mounted on the shaft of amotor 48. The motor 48 is supported on a bracket 49 that is bolted tothe frame IB. The pulleys 44 and 43 drive the conveyer belt members 2Iaand 2I respectively. The conveyer beit members 2Ia extend rearwardly toa series of pulleys 50 which are mounted on a shaft 5I. The shaft 5I isjournalled in bearing blocks 52 and 53. These bearing blocks areadjustable to tighten the conveyer belts 2Ia whenever it is necessary todo so.

The conveyer section 22 is composed of a single wide belt, one end ofwhich is carried upon a roller 54 on the shaft 23 and the other endofwhich is carried upon a roller 55 that is mounted on a shaft 56 which isjournalled in two bearing blocks 51 and 58. The shaft 56 is driven by apulley 59, a belt 60, a pulley BI and a motor 62. The motor 62 has itsbase 63 bolted to a portion of the frame I8 as illustrated clearly inFigure 1l of the drawings.

Referring now to the framework I8, this framework comprises a baseportion 64 made of angle iron. At the rear of the frame there are angleirons 65, and similar angle irons 66 are provided at the front of theframe. The top of the frame comprises two angle irons 61 and GB (seeFigure 10), and they are connected by cross tie plates 69 at their frontends. There are 'rear tie plates 10 which also connect the rear angleirons together. In between the front and rear frame members theframework I8 is provided with a series of partitions 1l, there being asmany of these partitions as the sorter is equipped to handle divisionsof sheets. As shown there are nine partitions 1I and an additionalpartition 12 which is slightly different in construction because it isthe front partition. These partitions are made of sheet material such assheet metal and are shaped as illustrated best in Figure 8 of thedrawings, so that each partition nests with the adjacent one to form acontinuous series of pockets. The partition 12 has a front and a backwall, the back wall being oil'set as indicated at 13 and then sloped at14 toward the front wall. The sloping partition 14 of the back wall hasa supporting bracket 15 welded thereon and this supporting bracket isadapted to rest on a floor plate 16 of the frame- Work I8. Thepartitions 1I are similar to the partitions 12, except for the fact thatit is not necessary to provide an entire front wall for the partitions1I. Therefore, these partitions are provided with a short front Wall 11that extends only up to the offset portion 13 of the next adjacentpartition. The upper ends of the partitions 1I and 12 extend upsubstantially to the top frame members 61 and 58.

The means for directing sheets into the pockets formed by the partitions1I and 12 comprises a separate framework that rests on top of theasaasee cross tie rods 04, there being two of these cross tie rods. Asimilar cross tie rod 85 connects the side frames 09 and 91 of theframework 20 which is bolted on the framework I9 by means of ears 99 and89 (Fig. 9).

The side frames 10 and 19 serve to support a plurality of curved platesover each one of the pockets provided by the partitions 1| and 12. Themanner of supporting the plate is shown best by reference to Figures 10and 11 of the drawings. For each pocket there is a front plate 90 and arear plate 9|. The front plate 90 is a sheet metal strip having its topedge bent over as shown best in Figure 11, the top edge being hooked upby a pin 92 provided in each of the side frames 18 and 19. For the frontpocket the front plate 90 is carried on the side frames 90 and 91. Thereis a split pin 93 in each of the side frames to receive the side edge ofthe plate 90. and thus rigidly position it against displacement. Theplates 9| are carried by suitable `pins 94 mounted in the side frames 10and 19. The plates 9| also have their top edges bent over as indicatedat 9i. In this case the bending is toward the rear so that the chuteformed by the plates 90 and 9| will be unobstructed by any sharp edgesat its inlet. The plates 9| are maintained in spaced relation to theplates 90 by smaller pins 90 that are provided on the side frames 10 and19. 'I'he plates 9| are held against the pins 99 by small springs 90athat extend between the plates 90 and 9| and are connected to bothplates. These springs are shownbestinl'-igures8 and ioofthedrawings.

It is not necessary to provide the springs at bothv sides ofthe platesso they are shownmerely at one side edge thereof. l

Directly over the chutes formed by the plates 90 and 9| I providedirecting shoes 91. These shoes are shown in Figure 10 to be spacedapart so that they can move up between the belts of the conveyer 2|awithout striking the belts. Figure l0 shows that there are a pluralityof the shoes 91 and that these shoes are separated by short rollersections 99. The shoes and the roller sections are mounted upon shafts89 and the shoes are xed to the shaft while the rollers, of course arefree to turn. Each of the shafts extends into suitable bearings |00 onthe side frame 10 and bearings |0| on the side frame 19. Individualcontrol levers |02 are provided on the shafts 99. These control leversare fixed to the shaft by means of collars |03 that are keyed or pinnedto the shafts in any suitable fashion. The control levers areconnected-by links |04 to the movable c ores |05 of a plurality ofsolenoids |06. All of the shafts 99, with the exception of the backshaft are connected to solenoids. However, the back shaft has its leverarm |02 normally snapped over and held by a pin |01 which is mounted onthe bearing block 53. This is because it is normally unnecessary toclose the rear shoes 91 because all of the sheets delivered to thesorter are disposed oi by the time the rear pocket is reached.

In order to insure movement of the sheets by the conveyer 2|a, I providespaced shafts |08 and |09 at intervals along the conveyer, and theseshafts are placed between the upper and lower portions of the conveyerbelts so that they ride on the lower portions. The shafts are providedwith enlarged roller sections lill and iii for engaging the conveyerbelts. Suitable bearing blocks ||2 are provided for the shafts |03 and|09. These bearing blocks are open `as shown at the top so that theweights of the shafts |08 and |09 are carried directly by the belts, andthese shafts can be readily removed whenever it is desirable to removethem.

It is believed to be evident from theforegoing description that sheetsdelivered from the duplicating device to the throat 29 by the strippingrollers 5, 6 and 1 and the guide plates 21 and 20 may be directed to theconveyers 2| and 22 or lifted off directly by the selecting member 30. Acover plate ||3 is placed over the conveyer 2i adjacent to the member 30so as to receive sheets deflected by the member 30. If the sheets arefed to the conveyers 2| and 22, they will be carried by these conveyersover the shoes 91 that are depressed until they reach a point where theshoes 91 are raised. When this point is reached the sheets will bedeflected and turned over by the curved under surface of the shoes 91and the plates and 9| and dropped in the pocket. Figure l1 shows how ashoe, when raised, has its lower tip 91a moved forward to prevent asheet from getting beyond the chute plate 9|. After 4one pocket hasreceived all of the sheets that should be placed therein, it can beclosed to allow the sheets to pass on to the next pocket.

The chute and pocket construction in this device ls such that theindividual parts tend to eliminate the catching of sheets thereon. Fur,

thermore, when the sheets fall into the pockets of the partitions 1|,they are turned over and properly stacked one upon the other by virtueof the fact that they are directed at an angle to the vertical with thelower edge toward the front of the pocket. The sloping portion 'i4 atthe bottom of each pocket causes the sheets to stack with their higheredges toward the back of the pocket and out of the way of the lower edgeof a new sheet coming into the pocket.

Means for selectively opening the shoes 9i by actuating the solenoids|06 is illustrated best in Figures 13 to 20 inclusive. The circuitarrangement is shown in Figure 2l. Before describing the detailedconstruction of the mechanism, I will describe the electrical circuit sothat the mechanism will be more clearly understandable when it isdescribed. Figure 2l shows the cam and the switch I5 of the operatingmechanism therefor connected in a circuit for controlling the operationof the sorter in conjunction with control of the operation of theduplicating machine itself. A plug ||5 is adapted to be connected to asuitable power supply to supply power to the tw'o motors 48 and 62. Aswitch ||6 is provided adjacent to the plug ||5 for stopping theoperation of the device. One line from the power circuit has a branch |1that leads to the several solenoids |06. The solenoids have individualleads |I8 that lead to selector units H9 and then to a common line |20to the other side of the power circuit. The side of the power circuitthat is common to the several solenoids over the lead ||1 also has alead |2| that extends to a. switch |22 and a plug |22 that is connectedto the switch I5 by means of a socket |24. The line continues from theswitch i5 over a lead |25 and a lead |26 to another solenoid |21 whichis' adapted to be actuated, in response to the closings of the switchylli and openings thereof, to step the plunger |23 annesse 7 of thesolenoid |21 along a series of control discs |29. These control discsare mounted on a shaft |30 and operate in a manner which will now bedescribed.

The control mechanism above referred to is shown by Figure 1 of thedrawings to be mounted upon a stand |3| and enclosed in a easing |32.The casings rests upon pedestals |33 and is coupled to the duplicatingmachine and sorter only by the cable connections indicated at |34.Within the casing |32 the shaft |30 is mounted upon two frame pieces |35and |36 by suitable bearing bushings |31 and |38. The first selectingdisc |29 is fixed on the shaft |30. but the several other discs whichare arranged in groups are not so fixed. Referring to Figure 20 of thedrawings, the discs are shown as mounted upon a hub portion |39 which iskeyed to the shaft |30, but the discs are frictionally held againstrotation on the hub |39 by a series of friction washers |40 insertedbetween the discs. Each of the hubs |39 carries a number of the discs|29, the number shown being six.

Figures 16 to 20 inclusive illustrate best how the discs act as a meansof holding the plunger |28 of the solenoid |21 in accordance with thedesired selection of the operator. However, in order to understand thefunctioning of the discs, it must rst be pointed out that means are-provided to move the solenoid |21 lengthwise of the casing and tothereby effect selective closings of circuits for the solenoids |06. Thesolenoid |21 is shown in Figures 13 and 14 as being slidably mountedupon two rails |4| by a base portion |21a. The portion |21a carries aspring 42 with a roller |42a at its free end. The roller rides againstthe lower surface of a bar |43 that is carried by the frame pieces |35andl |39. The solenoid |21 carries a cam shoe |44 which is adapted toengagea roller |45 that is provided on a closing lever |46 of each o!the control switches ||9. There is one of the control switches I9 foreach of the solenoids |05. The electrical arrangement is such that whenthe cam shoe |44 engages a roller |45 it keeps the switch ||9 closed fora distance ci travel of the solenoid |21 equal to the length of one ofthe groups of the discs |29. Means to move the solenoid |21 comprises acable |41 which extends out to a pulley |48 mounted on the casing andextending through an opening in the bottom thereof. The cable thenextends over a pulley |49 which is mounted in suitable brackets on thebottom of the casing and at its lower end the cable carries a weight |50(Fig. l). Any equivalent mechanism may of course be used to control themovement of the solenoid |21.

The several discs |29 that are frictionally connected together on theh-ubs |39 are provided with notches as shown at i in the peripherythereof. These notches are sumciently wide to allow the tip of theplunger |29 (Fig. 18) of the solenoid |21 to pass through them. Eachdisc has an arm |52 thereon, and this arm is connected by a spring |53to a bar |54 which is mounted in the casing. The several discs |29 canbe moved back in staggered relation as shown in Figure 19 by means of ahand lever |55. This hand lever is connected to a ring |59 which ispivoted on the hub |39.

The extreme left hand disc |29 of each group has a small pin |51thereon, and this pin ts in a notch |58 of the ring |58. The left handdisc |29 o1' each group has a circular lug |53 on the right hand sidethereof (see Figure 16). Each of the succeeding discs, except the llastone in a series, also has a lug |58 thereon. The several discs after thefirst one of a series have lugs i8@ on the left hand side thereof asillustrated in Figure 16. In normal resting position of the discs theyare positioned by the springs |53 so that the notches |5| therein arealigned with the member |20. However, when the hand lever |55 is pulleddown from the position shown in Figure 18 to the position shown inFigure 19, the vleft hand discs |29 of Figure 16 will be displaced asfar as the hand lever is moved. The second disc will be displaced onlyafter the lug |59 on the rst disc engages the lug |60 on the seconddisc. The third disc will be displaced when the lug |59 on the seconddisc engages the lug |00 on the third disc.

The hand levers |55 project through slots liti that are provided in thecasing wall. In order to latch the levers in any desired position, thereis a bar |62 mounted inside the opening iti and provided with teeth |63undelwhich the hand lever |55 may be caught to hold the hand lever inadjusted position against the pull of the springs |53.

In order that the operation of the device may be followed a sequence ofoperations covering the filling of one pocket of the sorter with thedesired number of sheets will be described. It will be assumed that theduplicating machine is ready for operation and that the plugs H5 and |23of Figure 2l have been connected. Also it will be assumed that the lefthand lever 55 in Figure 17 has been moved down until it is caught underthe tooth |83 corresponding to the numeral 2. The second lever has notbeen pulled down at all, but the third lever |55 has been pulled down toa point where it is engaged in the lowest notch. This actually meansthat the operator has set the operating device to place two sheets inthe first pocket 12 of the sorter and to place no sheets in the secondpocket. He has set the device to piace a full load of six sheets in thethird pocket. When the switches and |22 are closed the machine is readyfor operation. The duplicating machine is then actuated and the initialoperation causes the solenoid |21 to retract its plunger |20 when thecam point |1 engages the cam roller on the switch I5. When the plunger|28 is retracted, this releases the carriage on which it is mounted fortravel in response to the pull of the cable itl. As the carriage travelsto the right as shown in Figure 13, the contact operating cam rollerit?) rides -up on the cam |44 and closes a switch ||9 to energize thesolenoid |06 which is controlling the shoes at the rst pocket of thesorter. The solenoid |06 will raise the shoes so that the first pocketis ready to receive copies.

The motors 48 and 62 are of course connected directly so that theconveyers are driven continuously. When the sheet is delivered to theseconveyers in response to the first operation of the duplicating machine,the conveyers carry the sheet into position to drop into the pocketwhere the shoes are open. When the duplicating machine makes its cycleof operation to produce a second copy. the plunger |23 is retractedagain. It Will be noted that the retraction of this plunger is onlymomentarily to enable it to pass over a tapered edge of a disc |29. Thesingle disc |29 provided at the extreme left of the series of discsshown in Figure 16 is a preparatory unit to permit the duplicatingmachine to perform a single first operation for applying the mastersheet, or if the master was previously applied, this step may be used tomake a copy sheet that will be examined by the operator and thrown awayor A to clear all the discs.

n that the solenoid aecaaae `later placed in one of the pockets asdesired.

This initial copy sheet and the master sheet may be recovered veryeasily by closing the deiiector 30 down in front of the slots 29 asshown in the dotted line position of Figure of the drawings.

Each time the duplicating machine makes an operative cycle the plunger|28 is retracted to pass over one of the discs |29. yIf the lever |55 isheld by the tooth |63 opposite the member 2 as illustrated in Figure 17,this means that the two left hand discs |29 have been turned to bringthe notches I5I thereof out of alignment with the plunger |28 so theplunger will have to step over these two'discs while the solenoid |06 isheld energized by the switch I9 due to the cam roller |45 riding on thecam |44. When the second.

copy is made by the duplicating machine, the plunger |28 then fits inthe notches I5| of the next four discs with it. Therefore, the solenoid|21 continues to move to the right until it is in position to engage thesecond series of discs |29. These discs however, have been left withtheir notches |5| in alignment with the plunger |28 so the solenoid ismoved to the third group of discs. The switch ||9 associated with thesecond set of shoes is temporarily closed, so while the roller |45passes over the cam |44 the solenoid |06 coupled to the second set ofshoes controlling entrance of a copy sheet to a pocket will bemomentarily closed. Howeven the momentary opening of the shoes does noharm because they are again closed before the next sheet from theduplicator arrives over the sorter pockets.

According to the assumption made at the bei ginning of this descriptionof operations, the third set of discs |29 have been so adjusted that allof the notches I5| therein are out of alignment with the plunger |28.When the plunger |28 reaches this third set of discs it is necessary forit to be retracted six times by the solenoid |21 in order This meansthat the switch I5 will be closed six times directing six copies fromthe duplicating machine to the third sorter pocket. In this way theoperator can determine in advance the number of sheets going into aparticular pocket.

It will be noted in Figure 14 of the drawings |21 has a hand lever |84xed thereon and projecting up through the casing. This hand lever is forthe purpose of manually moving the solenoid when desired. The advantageof the manual adjustment may be explained as follows: Assuming that theoperator after hav- Ving once made a set-up finds it necessary to placemore copies in a particular pocket that has already been passed. Hereturns the solenoid |21 to the set of discs controlling the shoes overthat particular pocket and resets the lever |55 for the number ofadditional copies desired. The operation will then continue just thesame as if the setting had originally been made. When a complete run hasbeen made the hand piece |64 can be used to return the solenoid |21 toits original starting position.

The several discs are of course provided with the individual springs |53so that they will be individually returned to starting position when thelever |55 is returned to position to align the slot in the first discwith the plunger |28. As a safety measure, I also provide for each bankof discs a return bar |65 that extends across all of the arms |52 sothat all of these arms can be returned to neutral position by the bar inthe event the spring on one of them fails to return it. Springs |66 areused for operating the bars |65. The bars |65 are provided with anoffset portion itl which is welded upon the arm |52of the ilrst disc ofeach bank of discs I 29.

Referring now to the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 22 to28 inclusive, this form of the invention is a modified control unit foraccomplishing much the sameresults as that accomplished by the controlunit illustrated in Figures 13 to 21 inclusive. By reference to thewiring diagram in Figure 28, I will describe the electrical features ofthe control unit and then describe the detailed operation of themechanism by which the electrical operations are controlled. Thesolenoids |06 are shown as having one terminal thereof connected by acommon lead |10 to one side of a source of electrical energy. Each ofthe solenoids has a separate lead |10a which connects it to one terminalIlla of a switch I1|. The switches |11, of which there are ten in theset-up shown, are so connected that they are in parallel. These switchesare provided with three terminals Illa, llib, and |1|c as shown inFigure 28 and the connections are such that when one of the outerterminals is electrically connected through the switch to the centerterminal the other outer terminal is disconnected from the centerterminal. The leads |12 between the switches supply current from acommon lead |15 to the central terminals |1|b of the several switcheswhen the contacts electrically connect the back terminals |1Ic to thecenter terminals. The duplicating machine cam I1 and the switch |5controlled thereby are interposed in a branch line |16 leading from themain supply line |10.` This branch line also con- The branch line has atains a. hand switch |11. plurality of taps |18 leading to individualsolenoids |19 that operate the selector mechanism to determine how manysheets will be delivered into a particular pocket when a solenoid I 06is holding that pocket open. The solenoids |19 have their return leadsconnected to the terminals |13a of another set of switches |13 like theswitches |1|. A plurality of leads I 14 establish connection for theterminals |13b and 113e oi. the switches to the power lead |15.

The operation of the circuit is substantially as follows: Let us assumethat the upper switches |1| and |13 in the diagram shown are closed soas to connect current from the lead |15 through the leads |12 and |14 tothe terminals ilib and |13b of these switches. This means that currentis supplied from the source over the leads |10. |10a. the switches |1|,the leads |12 and the lead |15 to energize a solenoid |06, theparticular solenoid to be energized being the top one in Figure 28. Nowif the switch I5 is plugged into the circuit so that the branch line |16is completed, and if the switch |11 is in closed position, the branchline |16 will supply current through the tap |18 to the top one of thesolenoids |19, return being over the lead |80 from this solenoid to theswitch |13. So long as the circuit for the solenoid |08 remains closedby the switch |11 the solenoid will hold the pocket it is associatedwith open, but each time the switch I5 is closed While the switch |13 isoperated the solenoid |10 will also be operated momentarily. This lastsolenoid acts as the counter to toll ofi the number of operations of theduplicating machine during which the pocket, that is associated with theupper solenoid |06, is held open. If the switch |11 is open while theswitch |1| is closed, the counting stops because the solenoid |19 is nolonger operated. Thus it is possible for the adsense operator to keepany pocket of the sorter open to receive as many sheets as he desires bythe simple operation of throwing the hand switch |11 to open positionwhile that pocket is held open by its solenoid |08. The particularmechanism by which the solenoid |19 controls the switches |1| and |13will be described more in detail hereinafter.

At the time of supplying a master sheet to the duplicating machine it isdesirable to have the master sheet remain on the drum for at least onerotation. This is accomplished in accordance with the present inventionby using a solenoid |8| to control the stripper roller 1 so as to holdit outI of stripping position for one or more rotations of the drum. Thesolenoid |8| has one terminal connected by a lead |82 to the power lead|15. The other terminal of the solenoid is connected by a lead |83 to anextra switch |18 in the series of switches. This extra switch has a lead|84 to the other side of the power line. Thus if the switch |13 isclosed, the solenoid |8| will be energized to prevent the strippingroller 1 from entering the drum in the usual fashion so that a mastersheet may be held on the drum. The switch |13 preferably is manuallyoperated.

Referring now to the mechanism by which the switches |1| and |13 arecontrolled, this mechanism comprises a control casing |85 having amultiplicity of slots |86 in one face thereof and into which a pluralityof push type re-set levers |81 are guided. Each of the slots |88 has astrip |88 secured to the casing alongside it so as to show the settingof the lever |81. The casing |85 has companion slots |89 parallel to theslots |86, and these slots are provided to receive individual levers |80by which the'switches |1| and |13 can be manually controlledindependently of the pre-selecting mechanism.

A pair of switches |1| and |13 is held closed for a number of rotationsof the duplicating drum determined by the setting of the lever |81 thatis associated with them. The mechanism by which the levers |81determines the number of rotations during which their associatedswitches remain closed is shown best in Figures 23 to 27 inclusive. Thecasing |85 has a floor plate |92 upon which there are spaced shaftsupporting standards |9|. Each standard has a series of ratchet teeth|99 corresponding in number to the indications on the strip |88. Thelevers |81 carry spring pressed pawls |94 to engage the ratchet teeth|93. The construction of the levers |81is such that by pushing inwardlyon the handle of the lever |81 the operator can lift the pawl |94 andraise the lever any time that he desires to do so. Of course, on thedownward adjustment of the levers a pawl will ride over the teeth |93.

Each of the standards |9| is apertured to receive a hub |95 in which ashaft |98 is rotatably mounted. The shaft |98 shown at the extreme rightof Figure 25 and shown in the sectional view of Figure 26 is somewhatlonger than the other shafts |98 and carries an additional disc for apurpose which will be pointed out later'. Except for the above diierenceall of the hubs |95 carry like shafts |98. The shaft |98 is attened onits opposite sides as indicated at |91 to receive a disc |98. Also -atthe other end of the hub the shaft |96 is flattened on the side asindicated at |99 to receive a ratchet wheel 200. The ratchet wheel 200is engaged by a pawl which is pivoted upon the free end of a bell cranklever 202 which is mounted upon a reduced cylindrical portion 203 of theshaft |96. A washer 204 is placed over the lever 202 and a screw 295holds the washer and the bell crank lever in place. The pawl 20| is helddown on the ratchet wheel by a spring 208, one end of which is fastenedto a pin 201 on the pawl 20|, and the other end of which is fastened toa pin 208 on the depending portion of the bell crank lever 202. Thisdepending portion of the bell crank lever is bifurcated as indicated at209, to engage a pin 2|0 which connects two bars 2|| that are carried bythe movable core of the solenoid |19. A spring 2|2 also is connected tothe pin 2|D and to a ange 2te on the oor plate |92 so as to normallyoppose the operation of the solenoid |19. Alternate solenoids |19 areset back away from the standards |9| on a raised platform 2|4 that isprovided on the floor plate |92. On these set back solenoids the bars2|| are not extended all the way to the crank arm 202. A link 2|5 isused to couple the pin 2 |0 to the crank arm.

The disc |98 is normally urged to rotate the shaft |96 in a clockwisedirection as shown in Figures 23 and 27 by a spring 2|6, one end ofwhich is secured upon a pin 2|6a on the disc, and the other end of whichis secured to a flange |92a at the rear edge of the plate |92. Each ofthe discs |98 has a projecting portion 2|1 which is turned toward thelever |81 and engaged underneath this lever. The lever of course isjournalled on the hub |95 and may be set in any of the positionsindicated by the numbers on the strips |88. The shaft |96 however, isheld against following the lever |81, when it is raised, by a springpressed pawl 2| 8 which is pivoted at 2|9 to the standard |9| and whichis held down by a spring 220 connecting it to the flange 2|3. The pawl2|8 is limited as to movement toward the ratchet wheel 200, which isnon-rotatable on the shaft |98, by a pin 22| in the standard |9l. Thestandard |9| also has a pin 222 thereon which holds the pawl 20| awayfrom the ratchet wheel for a part of its travel so as to limit thestroke of the ratchet wheel.

In the discs |98 I provide notches 229. These notches are to provideseats for pins 223 that are secured to switch operating levers 225.These switch operating levers are pivoted at 225 on the standards |9|,and they carry laterally extending lugs 221 for engagement with pushbuttons 22B on the associated switches '|1| and |13. The switches |1|and |13 are bolted in pairs to the standards |9|. The levers 225 havehand pieces thereon so that the switches |1| and |13 can be closed byhand when the pins 223 are resting in the notches 224.

The extreme right hand shaft |96 as shown in Figure 25 has an additionaldisc |98 mounted thereon. This disc is arranged to operate the switch|13 by means of a short lever 229 which is pivoted upon an auxiliarystandard 230. The disc |98' serves to close the switch |18' at thebeginning of each run of duplicating so that a master sheet placed onthe duplicating drum may be held thereon for a plurality of therevolutions of the duplicating drum before it is stripped. This featureof the machine is for use particularly with the gelatin pad type ofduplicator. The number of revolutions that the master sheet will remainon the drum before being stripped is determined by the setting of thefirst adjacent lever |81.

When it is desired to release the ratchet wheels 200 so as to permit allof the discs to move up until they bring the portions 2|1 against theirrespective levers |81, I provide a release bar 23E pin 223 on itsassociated escasas which is pivoted at the opposite ends on twostandards 232 which are mounted on the iioor plate |92. A finger piece233 is connected to the bar 23| so that the bar can be lifted againstthe pawls 2I8 to release them from the ratchet wheel 200. It is believedto be evident that when the pawls 2I8 are released from the ratchetwheels 200, each of these wheels will be rotated along with the discs|58 until the projections 2I1 on the respective discs are in engagementwith the associated levers |81. Thus it is possible for an operator topre-set the levers |81, then check his setting and see that everythingis correct before he releases the discs |98 to close all oi the switches|13.

When the No. 1 switch of the I1I group is closed it energzes the No. 1solenoid |06 of the sorting device to open the first pocket. As fast asthe projection I1 on the cam is rotated by the duplicating machine itcloses the switch I5. Then the associated No. 1 solenoid |19 will beenergized and de-energized over the conductors |16, |18 and |80. At eachenergization of each solenoid |19 the bell crank lever 202 will beoperated to effect a partial rotation of the disc |98 toward neutralposition where the notch 224 'thereon will receive the pin 223 on theassociated switch lever 225. For example, if the lever |81 were set inalignment with the numeral 8 on the marketing strip |88, it would takeeight energizations of the associated solenoid |10 to move the disc |98into position to open the switch associated with that disc. This wouldmean that eight complete duplicating operations would be carried out.If, after a run is finished the perator is not sure of the correctness fhis selection, he can re-check the levers |81 because they are not movedby the operation of the solenoids |18 and the supplying of the pocketsof the sorter with the requisite number of copies. A single set-up thusmay serve for a great number of duplicating runs where the material tobe run must have the same number of copies made and sorted inthe samenumber of pockets. This is often the case where adequate keeping ofrecords and copies necessitate making from to 50 copies.

When the No. 1 switch of the |1| and |13 series is again opened by thenotch 224 in the associated disc being moved around to align with thelever 225, the associated solenoid |06 will be de-energized to allow thecorresponding pocket to close. Opening of the No. 1 switches connectspower from the lead |15 to the No. 2 switches I1I and |13 over the leads|12 and |14 respectively, and the second solenoid in the series willhold its pocket open until the requisite number of copies have beenplaced therein. This operation will continue uninterrupted to the end ofthe setting unless the operator desires a re-set or wishes to go backand place more copies in an individual pocket. Should the operatordesire to do so he can close any individual solenoid --circuit that hasalready been passed by merely lifting up on the hand lever |90 for thatparticular solenoid. Thus the device has suiicient flexibility to takecare oi emergency number of copies needed for any particular purposewithout in any way detracting from its full automatic operation inconnection with the duplicating machine.

The sorter is not limited to use with a duplieating machine. It can behand fed beneath the plate when the plate is in raised position as shownin Figure 5. The pockets may be opened veyor, a second conveyorcomprising spaced belts by using the levers |00, or if some otherdelivering means is used, it can be connected in circuit with the switchI5 to l'effect actuation of the switch each time a sheet is delivered.The device will sort all sizes from small cards to the full sizeaiIorded by the pockets. For example, the machine shown takes all sizesup to 14 inch by 11 inch sheets.

From the foregoing description it is believed evident that the natureand advantages of my invention will be clear to those skilled in thisart.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:v

1. In a collecting device of the character described, a rst conveyorcomprising upper and lower conveyor belts between which sheets are fed.said lower belt extending forwardly of said upper belts, a frameworkhaving a series of pockets for receiving sheets, and having a topsurface onto which sheets are delivered by said :first conriding on saidtop surface, a shaft, a plurality of rollers on said shaft, alternaterollers being engaged by the upper conveyor belts of said rst conveyorand the intermediate rollers being engaged by the belts of said secondconveyor whereby said second conveyor extends beyond the discharge endof the lower conveyor belt of the iirst conveyor, and means fordirecting sheets into said pockets.

2. In a collecting device for collecting sheets in desired groups, aframework, a series of pockets in said framework, gates above thepockets, means to open and close the gates, and means beneath the gatesoperable to cause the sheets to turn over as they pass downwardly, saidmeans including extensions on the gates extending downwardly and curvedto present a concave surface to sheets advancing through the gates, anda pair of curved plates spaced from each gate, said plates being curvedin the same general direction as said gate extensions and spaced apartfarther at their gate adjacent ends than at their ends remote from thegate whereby to denne a curved passageway yfor guiding sheets.

3. A collecting device for collecting sheets as they are discharged troma copy making device such as a duplicating machine, said devicecoinprising a support across which the sheets are advanced by the copymaking device, a conveyor extending from said support, pockets forreceiving sheets from the conveyor, and means providing a tapered throaton said support for catching wrinkled or torn sheets before they reachthe conveyor.

4. A collecting device for collecting sheets as they are discharged froma copy making device such as a duplicating machine, said devicecomprising a support across which the sheets are advanced by the copymaking device, a conveyor extending from said support, pockets forreceiving sheets from the conveyor, a guide plate over said support,said guide plate being spaced from the support and angularly disposedwith respect to the support to provide a tapering throat to catchwrinkled or torn sheets.

ALFRED E. LITTLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille ofthis patent:

(References on following page)

